New changes allow Optus customers to update their licence numbers after the data breach
- Replies 2
After news of the recent Optus data breach took the country by storm last week, state governments have begun announcing special changes to help and protect those who were affected.
Among the personal details accessed by hackers are passports and driver’s licence numbers and home addresses.
Toby Murray, an Associate Professor in Cybersecurity at the University of Melbourne, warned that the leak is sufficient to exceed the 100 points of identification required to prove someone’s identity for organisations such as Centrelink or a police check.
‘People who are affected by the major data breach are very much at risk now.’ Murray said. ‘If I were them, I would certainly be starting the process to change my licence number.’
If you were affected by the data leak, replace your licence now! Source: ABC
For those in New South Wales:
The incident prompted the NSW government to roll out a handy feature that can be found in the Service NSW app.
NSW Customer Services Minister Victor Dominello explained that the app will allow NSW residents to apply for a new digital driver’s licence, which will then be issued instantly.
The new licence will cost users $29, adding that ‘reimbursement advice will be issued by Optus to customers in the coming days’.
‘Firstly, I am sorry it has taken several days to reach this landing,’ Dominello said. ‘People are understandably stressed and need a pathway forward.’
A new plastic card will be issued within ten business days.
For those in Queensland:
Meanwhile, Queensland residents who are affected by the data leak can apply for driver’s licences with new numbers for free.
Roads Minister Mark Bailey said in a tweet that Queenslanders will need to drop by a Customer Service Centre to receive the new licence.
Source: @MarkBaileyMP
‘An Optus data breach notice or written notification from an enforcement authority is required, along with evidence of identity for the new licence.’ Bailey said.
‘Thank you for your patience as we worked on this resolution.’
The department has also set up a dedicated hotline (07 3097 3108) for those who need immediate help.
For those in Victoria:
Victorian residents will have to undergo a more complicated issuing process. Those affected can opt to request a replacement but several points of verification will be needed.
‘Anyone who has been notified by Optus that their licence details have been involved in the breach can contact VicRoads from tomorrow to have their Victorian driver's licence record flagged.’ a statement VicRoads read.
Victorians will have to undergo a more tedious process. Source: 3AW
‘By flagging records, the Department of Transport will prevent any unauthorised changes or access to individual information through the Victorian licence database. Records will also be flagged within the national database.’
If you’re a Victorian resident, you may learn more about what you can do to protect yourself from the breach here.
For those in Western Australia:
In Western Australia, you’re required to obtain a police report number to get a replacement licence. This can only be done in person and not online.
Premier Mark McGowan said: ‘I’m very concerned and I know everyone across the community is very concerned, especially Optus customers.’
‘We’ll provide an alternative or new driver’s licence with a new number as soon as we can get the system up and operational.’
Further information about the new licences will be announced at www.transport.wa.gov.au.
For those in South Australia:
In South Australia, you can replace your driver's licence online with a mySAGOV account.
The South Australian government will waive the $20 replacement fee for any of the residents affected by the breach.
SA residents can request a new licence online. Source: Twitter
Once you’ve paid for a replacement licence, you can request a refund through Service SA.
For those in Northern Territory and Tasmania:
The Northern Territory government has fees to replace licences but it depends on the situation. It has not announced any plans related to the incident.
The Tasmanian government has also not spoken about the issue as yet.
For those in the Australian Capital Territory:
In the ACT, anyone can replace a licence online if they make a declaration and know their address, existing licence number, and date of birth.
At the moment, it’s unclear whether a replacement licence will be free or not.
But customers affected have been told they can call Access Canberra at 13 22 81 and leave their details.
‘All customers who do this will be contacted by Access Canberra once the next steps are identified.’ the ACT government said.
The Coalition has called on the federal government to waive the fees and speed up the processing of new passports for customers affected by the data breach. A new passport always comes with a new number, reducing the risk for Optus customers who had their passport numbers stolen.
Calls have been made to waive the new passport fee for those affected. Source: travelobiz
However, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that anyone affected by the breach will have to pay the full fee for a new one. Australian passports can cost between $155 to $308, while priority processing adds an extra $225 to the bill.
‘This is not good enough and is bizarre, especially how in Question Time, the Minister for Foreign Affairs indicated that there will be merit in considering fee waivers and other assistance.’ a joint statement from Liberal Senators James Paterson and Simon Birmingham said.
‘Victims of the Optus cyber hack should not have to wait or pay significant amounts of fees to secure their personal information and obtain a new passport.’ they continued.
What are your thoughts about these special changes? Do you approve of them or should all of the Australian states improve their resolutions? Let us know in the comments!
Learn more about the changes made by the state governments below:
Source: ABC News (Australia)
Among the personal details accessed by hackers are passports and driver’s licence numbers and home addresses.
Toby Murray, an Associate Professor in Cybersecurity at the University of Melbourne, warned that the leak is sufficient to exceed the 100 points of identification required to prove someone’s identity for organisations such as Centrelink or a police check.
‘People who are affected by the major data breach are very much at risk now.’ Murray said. ‘If I were them, I would certainly be starting the process to change my licence number.’
If you were affected by the data leak, replace your licence now! Source: ABC
For those in New South Wales:
The incident prompted the NSW government to roll out a handy feature that can be found in the Service NSW app.
NSW Customer Services Minister Victor Dominello explained that the app will allow NSW residents to apply for a new digital driver’s licence, which will then be issued instantly.
The new licence will cost users $29, adding that ‘reimbursement advice will be issued by Optus to customers in the coming days’.
‘Firstly, I am sorry it has taken several days to reach this landing,’ Dominello said. ‘People are understandably stressed and need a pathway forward.’
A new plastic card will be issued within ten business days.
For those in Queensland:
Meanwhile, Queensland residents who are affected by the data leak can apply for driver’s licences with new numbers for free.
Roads Minister Mark Bailey said in a tweet that Queenslanders will need to drop by a Customer Service Centre to receive the new licence.
Source: @MarkBaileyMP
‘An Optus data breach notice or written notification from an enforcement authority is required, along with evidence of identity for the new licence.’ Bailey said.
‘Thank you for your patience as we worked on this resolution.’
The department has also set up a dedicated hotline (07 3097 3108) for those who need immediate help.
For those in Victoria:
Victorian residents will have to undergo a more complicated issuing process. Those affected can opt to request a replacement but several points of verification will be needed.
‘Anyone who has been notified by Optus that their licence details have been involved in the breach can contact VicRoads from tomorrow to have their Victorian driver's licence record flagged.’ a statement VicRoads read.
Victorians will have to undergo a more tedious process. Source: 3AW
‘By flagging records, the Department of Transport will prevent any unauthorised changes or access to individual information through the Victorian licence database. Records will also be flagged within the national database.’
If you’re a Victorian resident, you may learn more about what you can do to protect yourself from the breach here.
For those in Western Australia:
In Western Australia, you’re required to obtain a police report number to get a replacement licence. This can only be done in person and not online.
Premier Mark McGowan said: ‘I’m very concerned and I know everyone across the community is very concerned, especially Optus customers.’
‘We’ll provide an alternative or new driver’s licence with a new number as soon as we can get the system up and operational.’
Further information about the new licences will be announced at www.transport.wa.gov.au.
For those in South Australia:
In South Australia, you can replace your driver's licence online with a mySAGOV account.
The South Australian government will waive the $20 replacement fee for any of the residents affected by the breach.
SA residents can request a new licence online. Source: Twitter
Once you’ve paid for a replacement licence, you can request a refund through Service SA.
For those in Northern Territory and Tasmania:
The Northern Territory government has fees to replace licences but it depends on the situation. It has not announced any plans related to the incident.
The Tasmanian government has also not spoken about the issue as yet.
For those in the Australian Capital Territory:
In the ACT, anyone can replace a licence online if they make a declaration and know their address, existing licence number, and date of birth.
At the moment, it’s unclear whether a replacement licence will be free or not.
But customers affected have been told they can call Access Canberra at 13 22 81 and leave their details.
‘All customers who do this will be contacted by Access Canberra once the next steps are identified.’ the ACT government said.
The Coalition has called on the federal government to waive the fees and speed up the processing of new passports for customers affected by the data breach. A new passport always comes with a new number, reducing the risk for Optus customers who had their passport numbers stolen.
Calls have been made to waive the new passport fee for those affected. Source: travelobiz
However, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that anyone affected by the breach will have to pay the full fee for a new one. Australian passports can cost between $155 to $308, while priority processing adds an extra $225 to the bill.
‘This is not good enough and is bizarre, especially how in Question Time, the Minister for Foreign Affairs indicated that there will be merit in considering fee waivers and other assistance.’ a joint statement from Liberal Senators James Paterson and Simon Birmingham said.
‘Victims of the Optus cyber hack should not have to wait or pay significant amounts of fees to secure their personal information and obtain a new passport.’ they continued.
What are your thoughts about these special changes? Do you approve of them or should all of the Australian states improve their resolutions? Let us know in the comments!
Learn more about the changes made by the state governments below:
Source: ABC News (Australia)
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